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Dream race for Heidfeld, nightmare for Kubica
By BMW Sauber F1 Team April 8 2007
Over the course of the exciting Malaysian Grand Prix Nick Heidfeld once again proved the competitiveness of the BMW Sauber F1.07. The German finished fourth, thus scoring another five points. Robert Kubica, however, was hampered by handling problems and had to settle for 18th position.


In a thrilling 56-lap race, Nick confirmed the BMW Sauber F1 Team's position as third power on the grid in great style. He made a good start to defend his fifth grid position. When Felipe Massa had an off-track moment on lap six, Nick seized the opportunity and passed the Ferrari ace.

From that point in time, Nick was able to control Massa at any time. He was the last of the front runners to make his two scheduled pit stops and both times, he rejoined the race ahead of the Brazilian. When Massa tried to close in on him, in the final stages of the race, Nick responded by setting his personal fastest race laps, thus demonstrating Massa that he wasn't ready to let him pass. On laps 20 to 22, Nick even held the lead of the second race of the season.

At the end of the day, it was an even more valuable fourth place than the one secured in the season opener in Australia, as Nick clinched this result by defeating Massa on the track, thus proving that the BMW Sauber F1 Team had what it needed to match the pace of the Ferrari.

Robert, however, experienced an extremely difficult Malaysian Grand Prix. The Pole made a great start and passed Nico Rosberg (Williams) for sixth place but soon was hampered by handling problems. Therefore, he made an early pit stop on lap 12 - but the problems continued. When he pitted in for the second time on lap 28, his BMW Sauber F1.07 was equipped with a new nose cone - but this also didn't solve the problem. Robert had no chance of matching the pace of his rivals and had to settle for finishing 18th.

Nevertheless, thanks to Nick's amazing performance, the BMW Sauber F1 Team will leave Malaysia in a very competitive mood. After all, the 29-year-old defended his fourth position in the Drivers' Championship and the BMW Sauber F1 Team holds on to third position in the Constructors' Championship. Fernando Alonso (McLaren) won the race, with the Spaniard's team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, and Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) finishing second and third respectively.

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